Avalanche Forecast

Issued: Mar 22nd, 2022 4:00PM

The alpine rating is considerable, the treeline rating is considerable, and the below treeline rating is considerable. Known problems include Loose Wet, Cornices and Wind Slabs.

Avalanche Canada zryan, Avalanche Canada

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Avalanche danger will increase during periods of strong solar radiation.

Head out with a conservative mindset and dial back your terrain choices until the weather cools.

Summary

Confidence

Moderate - Uncertainty is due to the timing or intensity of solar radiation and its effect on the snowpack. Uncertainty is due to difficult to forecast freezing levels.

Weather Forecast

TUESDAY NIGHT: Partially cloudy. Moderate to strong southwesterly winds. Freezing level around 2500 m.

WEDNESDAY: Mainly cloudy. Moderate to strong southwesterly winds. Freezing level around 2000 m.

THURSDAY: Partially cloudy with light precipitations. Light variable winds. Freezing level around 1500 m.

FRIDAY: Partially cloudy with light precipitation. Light southwest winds. Freezing level around 1600 m.

Avalanche Summary

At the time of publishing, avalanche activity in the past week has been limited to small wind slabs and wet loose avalanches (size 1).

Snowpack Summary

5-10 cm of recent snowfall has been redistributed by strong westerly winds, building windslab in lee areas. The surface is moist and crusty below 1800 m on all aspects and on solar aspects into the alpine. The upper snowpack contains several crust layers, and the snow is well bonded to these crusts.

Terrain and Travel

  • The more the snowpack warms-up and weakens, the more conservative you`ll want to be with your terrain selection.
  • Cornices become weak with daytime heating.
  • Avoid steep slopes when air temperatures are warm, or solar radiation is strong.
  • Be careful with wind loaded pockets, especially near ridge crests and roll-overs.

Problems

Loose Wet

An icon showing Loose Wet

If the sun comes out on Wednesday, warm temperatures compounded by strong solar radiation may weaken the upper snowpack, creating wet loose avalanches out of steep terrain.

Aspects: South East, South, South West, West.

Elevations: All elevations.

Likelihood

Possible - Likely

Expected Size

1 - 2.5

Cornices

An icon showing Cornices

Cornices have grown significantly in the past two weeks. Warm temperatures may make cause cornices to become weak. Cornice failures are dangerous on their own, but also have the potential to trigger larger avalanches on the slopes below.

Give them a wide berth when travelling on ridge-lines and minimize overhead exposure to large cornices.

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South, North West.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1.5 - 3

Wind Slabs

An icon showing Wind Slabs

Recent snowfall and westerly winds are expected to have formed wind slabs in lee features in the alpine. 

Aspects: North, North East, East, South East, South.

Elevations: Alpine.

Likelihood

Possible

Expected Size

1 - 2

Valid until: Mar 23rd, 2022 4:00PM